Comics » The Minnesota Vikings have kept the heart of their defense

For the four-time Pro Bowl pick Riley Ridley Jersey , a late offer to stay with the only NFL team he’s played for proved too valuable to pass up.According to a person with direct knowledge of the deal, Barr agreed Tuesday to re-sign with the Vikings on a five-year, $67.5 million contract with $33 million guaranteed and more money available through escalators. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced by the Vikings, who had until the beginning of the new league year Wednesday to clear the necessary space for Barr’s contract to fit under the salary cap.Barr first made a verbal agreement to join the New York Jets, according to reports by ESPN and the NFL Network, but he ultimately changed his mind to remain with the team that drafted him ninth overall in 2014.In an Instagram post Tuesday night, Barr confirmed his decision and thanked the Vikings ownership, executives and coaches for the opportunity to return .“It’s been a crazy couple days, but I’m where I want to be,” Barr said. “I believe in our locker room. I love my guys! Back to work!”The Vikings landed quarterback Kirk Cousins last season, despite a larger offer from the Jets. Fifteen years ago, at the persistence of then-coach Mike Tice and his friend’s private plane, the Vikings persuaded cornerback Antoine Winfield to abandon his visit to the Jets and sign with Minnesota instead.Barr was the first draft pick by the Vikings under coach Mike Zimmer Greedy Williams Jersey , whose 4-3 base defense has been a natural fit for the sleek, 6-foot-5, 255-pound Barr . The variety of assignments the scheme has put him in at the strong side spot have minimized pass-rushing opportunities, though, and limited his career total to 13½ sacks.He took some turns at defensive end last season and spoke often of a preference to run forward, not backward in coverage, raising the possibility he’d seek a new team with a 3-4 system. Though Zimmer has repeatedly praised Barr over the last five years, the coach bluntly stated in 2016 that Barr “has a tendency to coast a little bit.” Whether the reason was effort or scheme, the Vikings have had their share of games when Barr’s presence went largely unnoticed. When the Vikings gave new deals last summer to wide receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive end Danielle Hunter but didn’t reach an extension with Barr, the likelihood he would leave only increased.But Barr’s primary agent, Brian Murphy of the Southern California-based Athletes First firm, has built a strong relationship over recent years with Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and executive vice president for football operations Rob Brzezinski through negotiations on previous megadeals for defensive end Everson Griffen, tight end Kyle Rudolph and safety Harrison Smith. Murphy also represents cornerback Trae Waynes Sione Takitaki Jersey , who has entered the final year of his rookie contract.The Vikings entered the offseason with little cap space, after spending big on Cousins, Diggs and Hunter in 2018. They jettisoned two players, guard Mike Remmers and safety Andrew Sendejo , for more room. Another starter, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, reached an agreement with the Cleveland Browns. He’ll likely be replaced by Shamar Stephen, who according to multiple reports has agreed to return to the Vikings, who drafted him in the seventh round in 2014. ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A rare one-and-done for the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL playoffs. A first for Russell Wilson.These Seahawks weren’t back in the playoffs long, though they stretched out the Dallas Cowboys until after the 2-minute warning Saturday night.After missing the playoffs last year for the first time with Wilson at quarterback, and then winning six of its last seven regular-season games to get to 10 wins and back this year, Seattle stumbled in the NFC wild-card game with a 24-22 loss.“I do love being in the playoffs Sheldrick Redwine Jersey , and I love fighting for every inch and everything that you can do. We did that all of the way to the end tonight,” Wilson said. “We felt like if we had gotten the ball back, who knows?”In each of his first five playoff appearances, Wilson had always won a game. As a second-year quarterback five years ago, he led the Seahawks to their only Super Bowl title. They were NFC champions again the next year.The Seahawks had won at least once each of the last nine times they made the playoffs since losing a wild-card game to the St. Louis Rams 14 years ago — at the of the 2004 season when Mike Holmgren was their coach and Matt Hasselbeck the quarterback.“I mean, anytime you’re in the tournament, anytime you go into the playoffs, your mind is set, I told the guys last night four more games,” said receiver Doug Baldwin, who finished his eighth season. “You believe with every ounce of your being that you are going to become victorious, no matter what obstacles placed in front of you. … It being fresh, I’m still mourning it. Still in disbelief in many ways.”Seattle got within 24-22 with 1:18 left after a 75-yard TD drive over six plays and 50 seconds. Wilson threw a 53-yard pass to a streaking Tyler Lockett to the 13 Austin Seibert Jersey , a few plays before his 7-yard TD pass to J.D. McKissic that was followed by Chris Carson running for a 2-point conversion.With 40-year-old Sebastian Janikowski out after injuring his hamstring on a 57-yard field goal attempt that was wide right to end the first half, the Seahawks went for and made a 2-point conversion, just like they did after Wilson’s 4-yard TD run late in the third quarter to go ahead 14-10.After the late touchdown, punter Michael Dickson had to kick off. Instead of a traditional onside attempt, his drop kick went too deep and was fielded by Cole Beasley to seal the game for the Cowboys.“Anytime you get to this point, you want to win one game at a time, and see how far you can take it,” Wilson said. “You never know where it’s going to go.”This time, it took the Seahawks to the offseason.